Strawberry and garlic exports?
The Prairies might soon become a source of strawberry and garlic plants for California.
Horticulturists from the University of Saskatchewan have found the total yield of Saskatchewan-grown strawberry plants, when planted in test plots at the University of California at Davis, increased by 11 to 19 percent. The early yields of these plants increased by 46 to 69 percent.
The same project found the essential oil of Saskatchewan-grown garlic was significantly higher than the same material grown in California.
“The production advantages of vegetatively propagated crops such as potatoes grown in northern latitudes, compared to southern latitudes, have long been known by potato growers in Europe and North America,” said Karen Tanino, assistant professor in the horticulture science department, and director of the project.
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If the same thing can be proven with strawberries and garlic, Saskatchewan could become a supplier of high quality, superior-yielding plant material for national and international markets.
Tanino said California is responsible for 75 percent of the strawberry market in the United States and California growers are continually demanding earlier-yielding varieties to capture a higher-priced market.
“Because of our shorter growing season, Saskatchewan-grown strawberry plants can fulfil the necessary chilling requirements by early fall and therefore can be dug, shipped and planted at an earlier date than the strawberry plants of the mountains in northern California,” said Tanino.
Types tested
Two June-bearing cultivars, Chandler and Camarosa, were chosen for the project, which is supported by Saskatchewan Agriculture’s agriculture development fund.
Chandler and Camarosa are the most widely grown strawberries in California. Test plots were located in Saskatoon, La Ronge, Prince Albert, Oregon and the University of California. Plants produced in all locations were simultaneously dug in September, and shipped and planted at the Davis university.
Yields were measured each month for six months. So far there’s been highly significant increases in yield from planting material grown in Saskatchewan. Tests are under way to confirm the results.
Tanino said popular California garlic cultivars were also grown in several locations in Saskatchewan and at Davis, with similarly encouraging results. The medicinal components in garlic are being assessed, and six new cultivars are being tested this year.
– Saskatchewan Agriculture
